Meet Allan Jones - The 78-year-old visually challenged who turns up for every Test at the Basin Reserve

Over the years, we might have surely heard about several fan stories in cricket. For them, the love for the sport unrestrained and some of the fans do everything possible to enjoy a good game of cricket. Be it Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary, Bashir chacha or Percy Abeysekera, they have all set standards for others to follow. But do you know about the 78-year-old visually challenged man who turns up for every Test match played at the Basin Reserve? Allan Jones might not be able to watch the action live.

But this man, with his hair disheveled, shirt untucked and beard unkempt loves coming to cricket matches. Visually challenged since his birth, Allan Jones has a seat reserved for him in the RA Vance Members Stand at the Basin Reserve from the last 40 years. The golden ager keeps track of all the action that is happening on the ground through radio commentary of one of his favourites, Jeremy Coney. Jones says that he loves the sound of the ball hitting the bat.

“I love Jeremy Coney’s commentary during Test matches. I come to the ground and listen to him and Brian Waddle to get the feeling of what’s happening on the ground. This is my designated seat (on RA Vance Members Stand) at the Basin Reserve for the last 40 years,” Jones says, the serene smile refusing to leave his face.

How did Allan Jones lose his eyesight?

Allan Jones has been blind since his birth. He says that he can sit through all the five days of a Test and enjoy all the twists and turns. For him, Test cricket is like life. James Neesham is his favourite cricketer as both of them attended the same school in Auckland. While his wife or a friend drop him at the stadium sometimes, he goes there all by himself on a bus at other times.

“Oh no, I have been blind for the last 78 years, since my birth. But I love coming to the ground for Test matches. I can sit through the five days and enjoy the twists and turns. Test cricket is like life. I enjoy that sound when the ball hits the middle of the bat.

“And then Jeremy Coney or Jonathan Agnew of BBC Test Match Special (TMS) makes me feel the game. Also on the radio, it catches the stump-mic conversations. I get fascinated,” Jones reveals as quoted by Republic World.